Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
Tapioca Starch / Flour
Tapioca Starch / Flour
Tapioca Starch / Flour
What is it:
Tapioca starch/flour is extracted from the cassava root through a process of washing, pulping, and squeezing out the starch, which is then ground into a fine powder. It has minimal nutritional value aside from being a rich source of carbohydrates and is commonly used as a gluten-free and grain-free alternative to wheat and other grains. It’s also used as a binding agent and thickener in foods like soups, puddings, and dough, among other items. Although tapioca is the starch from cassava, they have very different nutrition profiles and effects on the body.
Rating:
While it is often considered an empty calorie because it has minimal nutritional value, it is a naturally occurring food that undergoes minimal processing and doesn’t seem to have adverse effects on the body. Additionally, tapioca starch acts as a prebiotic that may have beneficial effects on the gut microbiome. Raw cassava contains a toxic compound called cyanide, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities or prepared improperly. Improperly processed tapioca could contribute to cyanide poisoning.
Resources:
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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